Winnipeg police officer charged with child sexual abuse

A veteran officer with the Winnipeg Police Service, who was charged and acquitted of sexually abusing two boys five years ago, is facing more charges of child sexual abuse.

Kenneth Jack Anderson, 52, has been charged with sexual abuse and sexual interference involving a 10-year-old boy in 2006.

Kenneth Jack Anderson

Anderson was charged Thursday following an investigation by the RCMP Winnipeg major crime unit and consultation with Manitoba Crown attorney’s office.

The Winnipeg Police Service said Anderson has been placed on restricted duties.

RCMP said they were notified in late August about the allegations, which had been passed on to them from the Winnipeg Child Protection Branch.

The allegations, which have not been proven in court, involved the inappropriate touching of a 10-year-old boy in the RM of Rockwood in 2006.

RCMP said Anderson was first arrested on Dec. 6, not charged at that time and released on a promise to appear in court. Anderson was to abide by court-ordered conditions, including not to have any contact with the alleged victim.

Anderson is scheduled to appear Monday in Teulon provincial court.

Anderson was charged in 2008 with sexually abusing two 11-year-old brothers, also in 2006. He was acquitted in March 2011 following a trial, where the only evidence against him was the testimony of the two alleged victims.

Anderson had denied the accusations and the judge at the 2011 trial said there were serious flaws in the stories presented by the two brothers.

Anderson is an award-winning police officer singled out for his work with troubled aboriginal youth. In 2003, Anderson was presented with a certificate of distinction for youth justice policing from the federal government and the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs for co-developing a cultural program for disadvantaged aboriginal boys in Winnipeg’s inner city.

Anderson said at his 2011 trial he worked closely with at-risk aboriginal youth and had taken several of them on various outings related to their culture, including sweat lodges.

Anderson also received a community service award in 2007 from aboriginal war veterans.